Coverage

Andrew’s SLAMMIVERSARY Results & Match Ratings: 7.15.2023

Slammiversary is tonight! Will Alex Shelley just be a transitional champion? Is Trinity ready for championship gold outside of WWE? Only one way to find out…

Published

2 years ago

July 15, 2023

Andrew Balaz

Even with a few replacements being necessary for one marquee matches, it also created a nice little buzz. With Deaner replacing Steve Maclin, PCO needs a replacement. Scott D’Amore made a phone call at the end of IMPACT on Thursday, who could it be? Eric Young? Bobby Roode? Teddy Hart? Johnny Devine? A truck filled with All Dressed Chips? Only one way to find out!

We had the Digital Media title match on the Countdown, so I figured I’d start with that. But the official first match is the Ultimate X…lets get this anniversary party going!

EXCLUSIVE: MK Ultra are the NEW Knockouts Tag Team Champions! @Kelly_WP @mashaslamovich #Slammiversary pic.twitter.com/mBFlOl7ONQ

— IMPACT (@IMPACTWRESTLING) July 16, 2023

Ratings:

Digital Media Championship: Stripper Kenny w/Sheldon Jean vs Joe Hendry (c): Kenny King wins via Dirty Cradle – ** 1/4 – TITLE CHANGE!!
Ultimate X Match: Kushida vs Kevin Knight vs Jonathan Gresham vs Mike Bailey vs Alan Angels vs Jake Something: Kushida wins the X – ** 1/2
The Coven (Taylor Wilde & KiLynn King) (c) vs MK Ultra (Masha Slamovich & Killer Kelly): Masha wins via RUssian Death Device – ** 1/2 – TITLE CHANGE!!!
Special Enforcer Darren McCarty Grudge Match: Bully Ray & Deaner w/Kon vs Team Canada (Scott D’Amore & Eric Young): EY wins via Macho Elbow – *** 1/4
X Division Championship: Lio Rush vs Chris Sabin (c): Lio wins via Final Hour – N/A – TITLE CHANGE!!!!!
IMPACT Tag Team Championship 4 Way: Moose & Brian Myers vs The ABC (Ace Austin & Chris Bey) (c) vs SUBculture (Mark Andrews & Flash Morgan Webster w/Dani Luna) vs Sami Callihan & Rich Swann: SUBculture wins via Fall to Pieces – *** 1/2 – TITLE CHANGE!!!!
Frankie Kazarian w/Traci Brooks vs Eddie Edwards w/Lish: Eddie wins via Boston Knee Party – ***
Knockouts World Championship: Trinity vs Deonna Purrazzo (c): Trinity wins via Starstruck – *** – TITLE CHANGE!!!
World Championship Match: Alex Shelley (c) vs Nick Aldis: Shelley retains via Shellshock – ****

Results:

Digital Media Championship: Stripper Kenny w/Sheldon Jean vs Joe Hendry (c)

Kenny actually takes his entrance shirt off immediately and rushes Hendry, but Hendry catches him and starts to toy with Kenny. A solid 30 second delayed suplex causes Kenny to powder right afterwards and then he sends Sheldon into the ring to distract Hendry and sneak attack him. Kenny puts a few moves together for a near fall, but he’s more interested in talking and grabbing a Chippendales bowtie from Sheldon to choke Hendry at first and then Hendry is wearing the tie as Kenny continues his offense.

T-bone Suplex out of the corner gives Kenny another near fall, as King sinks in a Guillotine to try and put Hendry to sleep. Hendry fires up, a few rope run misses and then Hendry catches the Crossbody, Sack of Shit! Hendry is about to remove the bowtie, but then instead decides to play around and do a little Dirty Dango. Eddy Gordo kick, Kenny goes to the top, Hendry catches him, Standing Ovation! But Sheldon puts Kenny’s foot on the rope to break the pinfall.

Kenny throws Hendry to the outside, goes for a Tornillo, but Hendry sidesteps and Kenny takes out Sheldon. Hendry comes in, Kenny goes for a flash Cradle and Sheldon holds Kenny’s feet on the ropes, and Hendry loses!

Ultimate X Match: Kushida vs Kevin Knight vs Jonathan Gresham vs Mike Bailey vs Alan Angels vs Jake Something

Okay, Jake is a big a surprise. I hope he gets a good push if this is a proper return.

Everyone who isn’t Something tries to jump up the turnbuckles and rush the X, but Jake starts plucking everyone off. Kevin Knight actually jumps on Jake’s shoulders and tries to sneak the X that way, and it looks pretty cool but to no avail. Jake Powerbombs Knight onto the pile of waiting people outside because its wrestling in 2023.

Angels cuts off Something from climbing for the X, Gresham and Bailey try to team up to take down Jake but he fights them off. So all 5 of the other competitors focus Jake with Angels putting the finishing touches over the top rope. Two teams of two start fighting in an interesting tornado sort of way. After Gresham and Bailey take out Knight and Kushida, they wipe out Jake and then have words about climbing. So things break down they start fighting and Angels shows up for the slowest most obvious Dual Spanish Fly I’ve ever seen.

Kushida stops Angels, Electric Chair on the Apron, Knight hits a Doomsday Dropkick sending Angels back into again, a pile of waiting bodies because it’s cooperative bullshit 2023 wrestling. Bailey decides to climb the lighting truss and Ultimate Triangle Moonsault into the bodies. The waiting for high spots mentality of wrestlers is dumb as shit nowadays, but at least the spot was cool. Angels introduces a chair and Chairshots get handed out to everyone for Angels to try and get to the X without interference. But Knight cuts off Angels while his crossing the cables and Angels decides to drop down and Poison Rana for his troubles.

Gresham is the next one trying to stop Angels, and Angels with the back kick into the balls. Angels thinks he’s got some space but then the big bear that is Jake Something smashes Angels’ face into the truss and then starts crossing to the X. Angels dives for a flying nut shot on Jake. Bailey, Kushida and Angels are crossing, Angels kicks Bailey in the dick, but Kushida crosses in a way for his nuts to not be exposed. He punches Angels down from the cables and Kushida wins!

If Sabin wins or loses, the interesting thing happens if Shelley retains. Because Kushida or Sabin possibly cashing in Option C has some nice levels to it.

The Coven (Taylor Wilde & KiLynn King) (c) vs MK Ultra (Masha Slamovich & Killer Kelly)

This is a match made in Hot Topic heaven. Sexy Witches versus Sexy Violent chicks. There are definitely Pornhub tags for this match.

Kelly wants Taylor to hit her and just absorbs the strikes until Masha comes in to say something to Kelly…but they turn around immediately to attack The Coven and utilize a few tandem moves out the gate. Kelly drives Taylor into a corner and smacks her around, she tags in Masha and Masha hits a big running Dropkick for a near fall. Taylor eventually slips a move and manages her own tag to KiLynn and they use some tandem offense herself.

Masha hits a cool rolling Cradle that she follows up immediately with a short Mushroom Stomp and then leans back into the Cradle for 2. Kelly tags back in and KiLynn and Kelly start trading some moves. Taylor swipes a blind tag, Kelly gets draped and Stun Gunned, then Taylor rocks her. KiLynn tags back in, throws down a few power spots but a big miss on a Top Rope Senton Bomb. Masha and Taylor come in, but Masha goes nuts with the Sambo strikes. Diving kicks, Spinning Heel Kicks, and nice offense until KiLynn breaks up the pin. Kelly tries to neutralize King with a Headbutt but she no sells and returns the Headbutt rocking Kelly.

Witches Wrath from Taylor, but Masha kicks out! They got for a Hart Attack style finish, but Kelly picks the leg to stop KiLynn, and Masha hits the Russian Death Device on Taylor for the win!

Special Enforcer Darren McCarty Grudge Match: Bully Ray & Deaner w/Kon vs Team Canada (Scott D’Amore & Eric Young)

While I would’ve liked a deeper dive, EY gets a huge reaction and seems pretty happy to come out to the Team Canada music again.

The match starts out with Deaner and EY, and Deaner is obviously rattled. So Deaner tags out before contact of course. EY starts with a simple Top Wristlock, D’Amore wants the tag, comes in but Bully slips away for them to talk. D’Amore hops up and down showing off some agility for an old fat guy…though his t-shirt is already soaked. Deaner tries to run the ropes to outdo D’Amore, but a Flashing Leg Lariat from D’Amore gives them the upper hand and a few more moves from Scott before EY gets tagged in. EY and Scott with a small 3D on Deaner before Scott tags back in and hits the Polish Hammer from the middle buckle. Deaner tries to get something going but Scott hits a Sky High for 2.

Kon tries to get involved, McCarty then also tries something but the referee of course gets wrapped up with McCarty, so Bully and Deaner take some shortcuts. Bully chucks Scott to the outside in front of Scott’s mother. Bully still showing a decent handle on classic heel tactics that resonate fairly well. Bully trying to bait Mama D’Amore into hitting him was very old school. The crowd starts singing the Canadian National Anthem, this must be the Canadian equivalent to the USA chant. Bully Low Blows Scott in front of the referee and demands to get disqualified. EY is saying don’t do it, Bully is trying to intimidate the ref, but surprisingly…the referee just takes his shirt off and quits the match.

Darren McCarty grabs the stripes, Scott finds an opening to Spear Bully, stereo tags, EY does the Flair/Adrian Adonis corner flip, runs to the corner, punches Deaner and lands his strike. Fluid offense from EY, Piledriver for Deaner, but Kon pulls McCarty out of the ring. Kon involves himself, attacks EY, then A-1 comes out of the crowd to eliminate Kon. McCarty hits a Stunner on Bully, EY and McCarty hold Bully’s legs and D’Amore hits the WAZZUP. They do a big get the tables spot, and this is an overbooked trainwreck, but the crowd loves it and Bully is such an easy to hate piece of shit, its fun to watch this type of old school wrasslin’. Bully goes through the table, Scott hits the Canadian Destroyer on Deaner, EY with the Macho Elbow and Team Canada wins!

EXCLUSIVE: Team Canada Forever!@ScottDAmore @TheEricYoung #Slammiversary pic.twitter.com/er6saRfRCZ

— IMPACT (@IMPACTWRESTLING) July 16, 2023

X Division Championship: Lio Rush vs Chris Sabin (c)

HAIL SABIN!

Rush with the Handstand Kick as soon as Sabin gets to the ring, then blitzes right into a Suicide Dive. Blistering speed on the sneak attack.Ringside doc keeps telling Sabin not to start the match, but Sabin pushes the doc out of the way, says he’s gonna go and Rush Dropkicks him while he’s in the middle of taking his jacket off.

Rush frames Sabin and Sweeping Overhead Kick in the head, Final Hour from Lio…1…2…KICK OUT! Sabin is concussed and nearly out after the early attacks, Lio is shocked but goes up for another one, lands the Final Hour again…and wins?!

IMPACT Tag Team Championship 4 Way: Moose & Brian Myers vs The ABC (Ace Austin & Chris Bey) (c) vs SUBculture (Mark Andrews & Flash Morgan Webster w/Dani Luna) vs Sami Callihan & Rich Swann

This is a two men only style of 4 way, so things are gonna get messy.

Mandrews and Bey start off with some quick but not significant action, until Ace tags in and we see a quick bit of tandem moves. Mandrews bridges out of a headlock, Flash blind tags, SUBculture with some tandem Sentons and Ace is slowed down. Flash with the Lionsault to wipe out Austin and then Austin gets blind tagged from Rich, so a new team has some chance to win. Tandem offense from Sami and Rich, Sami hits the Get Out of Here, but Moose and Myers take advantage of things. They look to seize the opportunity with their power but things get reversed and everyone starts taking swings. Just a cavalcade of moves from everyone.

Flash wanted Pinball Wizard on the outside, but Sami cuts him off and instead dumps him outside with the Spicolli Driver. Flash fights back from the double team but Swann and Sami catch him and have a nice tandem strike into a Rolling Splash from Swann for 2. 450 finds nothing for Swann, Ace tags out Flash, Triangle Kick misses, but Drop Toe Hold gives them a chance. Torture Rack Bomb with Triangle Kick assist give ABC a near fall. Myers and Moose slide in, Double Jacknife, Moose tags out Flash but Mandrews sneaks a tag.

Mandrews keeps with the resilience, Moose gets the boot up and looks for a Brainbuster but Stundog Millionaire gives SUBculture the offense. Shadows Over Malice from Flash for 2! Moose tries to take out Rich and Bey together, beautiful Triangle Springboard Splash…but Bey and Rich combine to hit a Double Cutter on Moose. Very cool spot. 1-2-SWEET attempt, but here come the Rascalz! They wipe out Ace, Myers tags himself in but Flash hits the Eaton Rifle. Fall to Pieces from Mandrews and SUBculture wins!

Frankie Kazarian w/Traci Brooks vs Eddie Edwards w/Lish

A very old school grudge match start, where there’s a couple of Back Elbows, Chops and Roll-Ups early on. So at least it’s not typical Japanese grappling start. Kaz tries to build off a couple shots but Lish grabs his foot. Traci returns the favor on Eddie and Kaz connects with a big Backstabber into the Headlock to try and squeeze the air from Eddie.

Eddie dumps Kaz to the outside and Lish starts mocking him as Traci stalks towards Lish causing Eddie to get in-between the women. Manhattan Drop from Eddie into a Release Belly to Belly Suplex for 2. Eddie keeps things close with the wrist control and short arm chops. Eddie finally misses a chop and Kaz connects with a release German, which finally gives Kaz some momentum. Lish keeps trying to motivate Eddie even after Kaz drops him outside and then goes inside out with the Frankensteiner.

Kaz starts lighting up Eddie with chops, and as they’re going back inside Lish hits the Back Rake with her long nails. Kaz walks her back into Traci but before Traci can clock Lish, Eddie hits the Dive on Kaz. Eddie starts mouthing off to Kaz’s kid, then Frankie and Eddie exchange a few chops and headbutts that seem a bit stiff, but Kaz is mostly on the receiving end. Eddie peppers Kaz, Kaz fires up and they meet in the middle trading boots and chops before Kaz finally gets the best of the offense! Springboard Leg Drop but Eddie moves, but Kaz noticed and manages to land on his feet, lay out Eddie again and finally hit the Leg Drop for 2. Unprettier gets countered, Kaz tries the top rope but the Enzuigiri from Eddie says no. Backpack Stunner connects from Edwards for 2. Eddie takes Kaz to the top, Superplex!

Even though Eddie has been in better shape most of the match, he’s a little slow to follow up. Wants the Chicken Wing for salt in the wound, Kaz counters, goes for the Knee Party but Eddie ducks. Tiger Driver attempt, Kaz counters into a Reverse Powerslam for 2. They jockey for position, both try suplexes and end up both going over the top to the outside. Kaz is in the ring first, Eddie crawls up, Slingshot Cutter for 2! Frankie launches for a Diving Forearm, Eddie ducks and Kaz kills the referee! Both take each other out with Lariats as Lish decides to grab a Kendo Stick.

Traci takes down Lish when Lish tries to hit Frankie with the Kendo Stick and then wipes out Lish with a Charging Lariat. Kaz sinks in the Chicken Wing, Eddie taps out, but there is still no referee. Kaz goes to find the ref, Eddie grabs the stick, cracks it across Kaz’s back, Boston Knee Party and the Celtics win the rivalry game!

Knockouts World Championship: Trinity vs Deonna Purrazzo (c)

I don’t know who’s niece or daughter they got to play violin for Deonna’s entrance, but it was awful. Never do that again unless you get a good musician.

A few quick moments from both women, Trinity with the O’Connor Roll but Deonna slips it and almost gets the Fujiwara but rope break. Next exchange Deonna powders and avoids the Rear View. So we get the small tastes of both women going for the finishing moves but avoiding anything early. Deonna ducks the lariat, Trinity then tries to go to a Springboard but Deonna follows and pulls the ropes to drop Trinity off her Springboard attempt. Deonna starts to dissect pieces of Trinity already, focusing mostly on the left arm.

Trinity trips up Deonna, goes for a Leg Drop but Deonna moves and then hits a Sliding Dropkick for a near fall. Deonna grabs the left arm and whips Trinity back down to the ring on the damaged arm. Staying in control, Deonna bars the arm and drops back trying to hyper extend the arm or beat up the joints. Deonna charges the corner, Trinity tries to catch her in a Headscissors, but Deonna turns it into a forward Electric Chair Drop. Trinity manages to finally get some fire, a few kicks into a Samoan Drop to land a Disaster Kick for 2! Cradle into Starstruck, but now we get locomotion counter cradles. Trinity goes for a Running Headscissors but Deonna stops her and lands a Piledriver for 2! Knee Lift, into Russian Leg Sweep, and then Fujiwara Armbar!

Slingshot X Factor from Trinity, Split-Legged Moonsault for another near fall! They’re out fighting on the apron, Deonna hits a snap Queen’s Gambit, but takes a little too long to push her back into the ring so Trinity kicks out at 2. Deonna perches her, fires in some forearms and is looking for an Avalanche Queen’s Gambit. Trinity fights it off, Avalanche Bully Bomb into Starstruck. Trinity ties up the legs as well and Deonna taps out!

Not bad, but a little Sloppy and awkward at points. Plus that violinist was cringe as hell.

World Championship Match: Alex Shelley (c) vs Nick Aldis

One has to hope that Shelley will break the current trend of all the champions losing their titles. Especially if Sabin is actually legit hurt with how awkward and sudden that Lio Rush match was.

After the bell rings, Shelley and Aldis stare down a little and Shelley spits water in his face and goes after him quick. Early on Shelley gets caught in a Powerbomb and Aldis goes for the King’s Lynn Cloverleaf super quick. Are both Guns going to lose in quick upsets!?

Shelley gets to the ropes but it took a while so everything is even more uphill for Shelley. Aldis with the big sternum first Power Whip into the corner. Aldis is being slow and deliberate, Shelley tries to kick the knee fast but Shelley is favoring his back so Aldis gets annoyed and starts stomping on Shelley. Shelley eats some turnbuckle and keeps absorbing strikes, chokes and Irish Whips. Shelley tries a Body Press out of the corner, but Aldis catches him and deposits him quite easily. Another whip to the corner, and Shelley moves out of the way, charges, sees the foot come up and catches it in the Dragon Screw. Kicks the inner thigh and Dragon Screws the same leg (left leg) again. Shelley goes for the grounded Dragon Screw even through a few of Aldis’ upkicks. Hesitation Dropkick to the left knee, then Shelley hits the Spinning Toe Hold on the left leg, another stomp and looks for a Figure Four but Aldis gets out of it. Dive from Shelley but Aldis turns things around on the outside. Aldis grabs Shelley, looks for an Inside Out Suplex to the floor, but Shelley snaps Aldis away with top rope, floats over the top and lands on Aldis’ arm and they start to brawl outside a bit. Aldis tries to ram Shelley into the post, but Shelley slips and shoves Aldis into said post. Shelley is trying to break Aldis’ fingers in the chains of the turnbuckles and the crowd loves it.

Another stomp on the hand and the crowd craves violence. Shelley goes for the Shoulder Block, Aldis dodges, thinks he caught him but then eats a Dragon Screw. Shelley then connects with a Chop Block while Aldis is reeling from the Dragon Screw. Close quarters dirty boxing and joint manipulation from Shelley. Round Kicks to the hamstring for Shelley, but Aldis takes the rope run and connects with a Lariat to stop Shelley’s offense. Aldis to the top rope while gimpy but Shelley cuts him off and maybe a Superplex? Yup Superplex from the guy with back issues, so that probably did more to Shelley than Aldis. Strike exchange ensues, Shelley gets the best of things, chops Aldis into the corner, they follow to the other, Flatliner into the middle turnbuckle from Alex. Superkick attempt from Shelley, foot gets caught, King’s Lynn attempt but Aldis can’t get him over. Figure Four from Aldis that Shelley counters into a Cradle, Sliced Bread afterwards, 1 – 2 – Border City Stretch transition.

A lot of quick counters and transition moves, Shiramui attempt from Shelley, stopped and countered into a Piledriver for 2. Elbow Drop from Aldis for another near fall. Aldis goes to grab the title belt, Shelley kicks him, Aldis drops it and Shelley wants to use it…but the referee talks him off. Low Blow from Aldis, Michinoku Driver for…ONLY 2! Aldis goes back to the belt and the ref is trying to talk him out, kicks Aldis, he drops the belt, DDT on the belt, Shellshock from Alex after Aldis gets some color and SHELLEY RETAINS!

Overall Score: 7.5/10

Post match, we see Josh Alexander make his return to a Canadian crowd who loves him and it’s a simple “I’m Back”. This sets up nicely for a few potential feuds to get back in the main event picture for Josh since Eddie beat Kaz and Aldis might be a little bitchy about losing. But potentially getting an Alex Shelley vs Josh Alexander match at Bound For Glory is potentially awesome stuff.

As for the show, it was a mixed bag. Team Canada match was nice with the return of EY, general feel good old school over booking but there was a ton of mediocre or bad wrestling. Plus the shocking Sabin loss I hope was more done just as a change of pace and not because Sabin is legit hurt. MK Ultra is a team I will love for purely selfish and horny reasons. SUBculture winning is interesting. I expected The Rascalz to screw ABC, but I wasn’t sure who would be the lucky recipient. And of course being the Alex Shelley mark that I am, seeing him win automatically raises the show for me.

So aside from a few technical issues, potentially questionable booking and a few early matches that didn’t really jive super well, it wasn’t a bad show. It paid off the bigger stories, we got huge returns of Eric Young and Josh Alexander and Trinity ends up getting her first title outside of WWE. Memorable show.

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Coverage

Mitchell’s NJPW Road to New Beginning Results & Report! (1/30/25)

GO! ACE! GO! ACE!

Published

13 hours ago

January 30, 2025

Steven Mitchell

Tanahashi’s Final Road to New Beginning!

Evil couldn’t end President Ace, but will The House of Torture still take the NEVER Openweight Six Man Championships from him?

OFFICIAL RESULTS

Kickoff – Masatora Yasuda VS Daiki Nagai; Time Limit Draw.
YOSHI-HASHI & Katsuya Murashima VS Ryohei Oiwa & Hartley Jackson; Oiwa & Jackson win.
8 Man Tag: El Phantasmo, Jado, Shota Umino & Togi Makabe VS The United Empire; ELP, Jado, Shota & Makabe win.
Taichi & Taka Michinoku VS SANADA & Taiji Ishimori; Sanada & Taiji win.
Tomohiro Ishii & Tomoaki Honma VS Tetsuya Naito & Hiromu Takahashi; Naito & Hiromu win.
Six Man Tag: Los Ingobernables de Japon VS Bullet Club War Dogs; War Dogs win.
NEVER Openweight Six Man Tag Team Championships: Hiroshi Tanahashi, Toru Yano & Boltin Oleg VS The House of Torture; The House of Torture wins and become the new NEVER Openweight Six Man Tag Team Champions.
Six Man Tag: Hirooki Goto, El Desperado & YOH VS TMDK; TMDK wins.

PLAY BY PLAY

NEVER Openweight Six Man Tag Team Championships: Hiroshi Tanahashi, Toru Yano & Boltin Oleg VS The House of Torture!

Evil tried to make WrestleKingdom 19 the last time we saw President Ace in this ring but he failed! However, his minions will not stop in trying to ruin the rest of Tanahashi’s last year. Will Ren Narita, Yujiro Takahashi & Sho take these titles back to the House? Or will The Ace, Joker & Rook stand tall?

The House walks out here showing off the belts they literally stole back at New Year Dash, but now the tables have turned! Tanahashi and team attack The House from behind! The fans cheer as The House finally tastes their own medicine! Tanahashi snatches back the belts so that he, Yano & Oleg can stand with them in the ring. The House protests but they’re one to talk. The introductions are skipped, the bell rings, and the brawl is back on as Tanahashi’s team goes back out after The House! Yano whips Sho, but Sho reverses to send Yano into railing! Sho stomps away on Yano, then helps Ren mug Oleg!

Yujiro turns things around on Tanahashi, and then he brings Tanahashi out to No Man’s Land! Sho bends Oleg’s fingers, puts his hand through the railing and pulls! The fans rally for Tanahashi’s team while the ref reprimands The House. Yujiro puts Tanahashi in, then he, Sho & Ren all stomp away! The fans boo, the ref reprimands, but The House all put one out on Tanahashi. Yujiro stands Tanahashi up, then he and Sho double whip Tanahashi corner to corner. Yujiro runs in but Tanahashi dodges! Tanahashi then dropkicks Sho’s leg, then he dropkicks Narita’s leg! The fans fire up and Tanahashi runs at Yujiro.

Yujiro dodges, but Tanahashi ELBOWS him away! Tanahashi goes up to CROSSBODY! The fans fire up again as Tanahashi air guitars. Tag to Yano and he TOSSES Yujiro out! Yano then brings Yujiro out into No Man’s Land, then to the back of the crowd to THROW into some open chairs! The fans cheer as Yano brings out that Great Bash Heel side, but the ref reprimands Yano. Yano tells the ref to leave him alone, and he has a chair! The ref stops Yano from hitting Yujiro! Yano argues with the ref, but now Sho & Ren mug Yano! The ref reprimands them but the mugging continues. Ren leads the ref away so Sho & Yujiro can CHOKE Yano with a chair!

The fans boo while The House also beats up Oleg & Tanahashi. Yujiro drags Yano up and then brings him back to ringside to POST him! Ren brings Oleg around with a headlock and sends him into railing! Then more railing! Then into the crowd! Yujiro uses Yano’s red chair to CHOKE him! The ring count finally starts, but Ren JAMS Oleg up with a chair! The count reaches 10 of 20 and The House returns to the ring. Yano is still down at 15! The fans rally, Yano rises up at 17, and he lurches in at 19! The fans cheer but Yujiro is annoyed. Yujiro drops a leg, then an elbow, then a HEADBUTT! Cover, TWO!

The fans cheer as Yano stays in this, but Ren sends Tanahashi into railing! Yujiro tags Sho, Sho CHOKES Yano with a boot to the neck! The ref counts, Sho stops, then Sho TOSSES Yano out! Sho keeps the ref distracted while Ren JAMS Yano up with a chair! Ren pushes Yano in, Sho covers, TWO! Yano survives and Sho is frustrated. Tag to Ren, he drags Yano up, and Ren whips Yano to ELBOW him down! Cover, TWO! Ren BLASTS Tanahashi off the apron! Ren grins as the ref now keeps Oleg back. Ren CHOKES Yano on the ropes, Sho joins in to CLAW Yano’s eyes, but then the ref counts. Ren lets off and Yano flops down.

Ren drags Yano up, but Yano pulls hair! Ren breaks free, knees low, then runs up. Yano dodges, clinches, and BELLY2BELLY SUPLEXES! The fans fire up, Yano hot tags Oleg! Oleg jumps in and CLOBBERS Ren! Oleg then deadlifts Ren, but Sho attacks! The fans boo, Sho runs, SPEAR bounces off of Oleg! Oleg then deadlifts Sho! Shake, Shake, Shake! But Yujiro CLUBS Oleg! Yujiro & Ren double whip, but Oleg DOUBLE SHOULDER TACKLES! The fans fire up and Oleg runs at the corner to SPLASH Ren! Then he scoops and TOSSES Ren! The fans fire up as Oleg then runs to SPLASH! Cover, TWO!

Ren survives but Oleg deadlifts Ren right to the fireman’s carry! Ren fights free, CHOKES Oleg, but Oleg breaks free! Oleg winds up but Ren ducks the chop! Ren CHOKES Oleg, the ref counts, but Oleg CHOKES Ren! The fans cheer, and then Oleg TOSSES Ren to the corner! Tag to Tanahashi and the fans fire up! Oleg and Tanahashi haul Ren up, double whip him corner to corner, then Tanahashi sends Oleg in! Oleg ELBOWS Ren, then Tanahashi SPLASHES! Tanahashi scoops and SLAMS Ren into the drop zone! Oleg goes up, up and VADER BOMBS! Tanahashi goes up to SUNSET SENTON! Cover, Yujiro breaks it!

Oleg CLOBBERS Yujiro for that, then goes out after him. The fans fire up as Tanahashi powers up. Tanahashi runs, but Sho gets a cheap shot in! Ren BOOTS Tanahashi, tags Sho, and Sho BLASTS Yano! Yujiro turns things around on Oleg and now The House double whips President Ace! Sho runs in to forearm SMASH! Yuijro BOOTS! Ren ELBOWS Tanahashi! Ren & Sho snapmare Tanahashi, then hold the legs open! Yujiro shoves the ref aside, then FALLING HEADBUTTS Tanahashi down low! The fans boo but now Sho covers, TWO!! Tanahashi survives and Sho argues with the ref! The fans rally for Tanahashi, but Ren has his repaired pushup bar!

Ren takes aim, Tanahashi dodges, SHOTEI! Sho kicks, Tanahashi blocks to DRAGON SCREW! Yujiro runs up, but gets caught into a TWIST ‘N’ SHOUT! The fans fire up as Tanahashi crawls for his corner! Hot tag to Yano! Yano unties a buckle pad! The fans cheer, Yano whips, but Sho reverses! Yano stops from hitting the buckles, then he dodges Sho to send him into bare buckles! Yano rolls Sho up, TWO!! Sho escapes but Yano hurries to get Sho’s legs! Oleg hops in, CATAPULT into Oleg’s BELLY2BELLY! The fans fire up as Yano then stands Sho up, ONIGO- NO, Sho fights free! Sho dodges, but the ref stops him from hitting a low blow!

The ref and Sho argue, but Yujiro & Ren mug Yano! They double whip Yano, but Yano grabs ropes. Yano then sends Ren into Yujiro to DOUBLE LOW BLOW them! Atomic drop for Sho! Tanahashi runs up, SLINGBLADE! Oleg deadlifts Sho right into a fireman’s carry and DEATH VALLEY DRIVER! But YOSHINOBU KANEMARU is here! The Heel Master gets on the apron, but Young Lions already apprehend him! Yano hauls Sho up, for ONIGOROSHI!! Cover, KANEMARU TOSSES THE YOUNG LION ONTO THE REF! The fans boo but Kanemaru attacks Yano! But then Yano hits him with an atomic drop!

Kanemaru WHISKEY MISTS!? Sho LOW BLOWS Yano!! Sho rolls Yano up, HOUSE OF TORTURE WINS!!

Winners: The House of Torture, by pinfall (NEW NEVER Openweight Six Man Tag Team Champions)

What a travesty! A miscarriage of justice! Evil isn’t even here, but his army of darkness just won the gold! Yano is upset, Tanahashi is disappointed, but Oleg is mad! Oleg storms back in, only for Yujiro to BELT SHOT him down! Yujiro then kicks Oleg out, and shows he’s pretty sore from the low blow. Will these belts help the House feel much, much better?

Six Man Tag: Hirooki Goto, El Desperado & YOH VS TMDK!

The Fierce Warrior won the New Japan Ranbo to earn his shot at the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship, so that means he and Zack Sabre Jr. will do battle for the New Beginning! Will the Rogue Luchador & Direct Drive help Goto gain the upper hand? Or will Kosei Fujita & Robbie Eagles help The Mighty Front Man prepare for war?

The teams sort out while all of TMDK’s title belts are put aside. The Japanese Young Punk steps to Despy, so Despy accepts. The fans cheer and the bell rings. Despy and Fujita stare down while the fans rally. Despy has the majority, and the two circle. They feel things out, Despy facelocks but Fujita slips around to waistlock. Despy slips out, moves around, but Fujita stays on him. They go around, break, and the fans cheer. They tie up, Despy wrenches to hammerlock, but Fujita elbows free to hammerlock back. Despy switches, Fujita switches, repeat! They go hammerlock for hammerlock, but then Despy top wristlocks to wrangle FUjita!

The fans cheer, Fujita fights up, but Despy shifts to a cording hold. Fujtia whips but Despy reverses and arm-drags! Fujita comes back, he avoids the arm-drag, and then he CHOPS! Despy is stinging, but Fujita CHOPS him again! And CHOPS him again! The fans cheer, Fujita CHOPS again, but now Despy CHOPS! Fujita CHOPS, Despy ends up in the Mighty corner, and Eagles tags in. Eagles CHOPS, but then Despy CHOPS! Eagles shoves Despy and says he’s bored. He wants Yoh! The fans rally for Yoh, so Despy tags him in. The fans cheer as Yoh and Eagles circle. Wait, Yoh starts up the “ROBBIE ROBBIE ROBBIE!” “OI OI OI!”

Eagles is rather amused, and says not bad. Eagles starts it up for himself, but Yoh sneaks up! Eagles stops the schoolboy and sits on the cover, TWO and Yoh has the sunset flip! TWO, both men stand and point at the other! The fans applaud, then Yoh kicks low. Yoh whips, Eagles reverses to go up and around to arm-drag! Eagles runs in, Yoh sidesteps but Eagles hurdles. Eagles RANAS then WHEEL KICKS! Eagles kips up and the fans cheer. Eagles puts Yoh in a corner, and he says “ROBBIE ROBBIE ROBBIE!” CHOP CHOP CHOP! “ROBBIE ROBBIE ROBBIE!” CHOP CHOP CHOP! “ROBBIE!” CHOP! “ROBBIE!” CHOP! “ROBBIE ROBBIE ROBBIE!” CHOP CHOP CHOP!

The fans cheer while Yoh flounders around. Eagles whips, Goto sneaks a tag, then Goto & Yoh DOUBLE SHOULDER TACKLE Eagles! They BLAST ZSJ and Fujita, then call to Despy! Despy says no thanks, they can go ahead. “Se~ no!” DRUM BEAT on Eagles’ back! Goto asks if Despy is sure he doesn’t want in, and Despy says it’s fine. Goto CLUBS Eagles, but Eagles fires body shots! Eagles fires a forearm, but Goto knees low! Goto fireman’s carries, but Eagles fights free. Eagles waistlocks, Goto elbows free and runs, only for ZSJ to trip him up! Eagles BLASTS Yoh & Despy off the apron while Fujita basement dropkicks Goto!

ZSJ spins Goto around to be on the apron, then gives him a NECK TWIST! The fans cheer and ZSJ brings Goto out to UPPERCUT him down! ZSJ brings Goto up to UPPERCUT again, then UPPERCUTS him again! Goto stumbles and falls, Eagles CHOPS Yoh, and Fujita CHOPS Despy! ZSJ brings Goto up and wrenches his arm, then wrenches it again. But Goto fires forearms in return! ZSJ UPPERCUTS Goto again, the CHOPS continue by the ramp side, and ZSJ puts Goto in. Eagles tags ZSJ in whiel Fujita and Despy CHOP each other back and forth. ZSJ clamps on a headscissors and he squeezes tight!

Goto endures, reaches out, ROPEBREAK! ZSJ lets go cleanly and brings Goto to the corner. Tag to Fujita and he stomps Goto. Fujita drags Goto up while fans rally, and Fujita wrenches to an ELBOW BREAKER! Fujtia wrenches again, ELBOW BREAKER! And again, ELBOW BREAKER! Fujita wrenches, top wristlocks, and he wrangles Goto to the mat. Fujita STOMPS that arm, then he tags Eagles. The Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Champions get Goto’s arms while ZSJ steps in to have a leg! Goto endures as TMDK cycles through the armlocks and leglocks! Red Shoes counts but TMDK keeps rotating before he reaches 4!

Then TMDK returns where they started, and Goto endures the DOUBLE STRAIGHT ARMBARS and INDIAN DEATHLOCK! Red Shoes counts, all three men let go at 4! ZSJ stands, he still has the deathlock, and he bridges back! Goto endures, keeps his shoulders up, but ZSJ stands to tag in Eagles. Eagles drags Goto around, then hits a KNEE JAMMER! Tag to Fujita, they drag Goto up, and they double whip him to ropes. They DOUBLE ELBOW Goto down, ZSJ hops in for a NECK TWIST! Goto sits up into a DOUBLE PENALTY KICK! Cover, Despy breaks it! The fans cheer but Red Shoes reprimands.

Despy stands down, but Fujita BLASTS him off the apron! Fujita drags Goto up, wrenches, and whips him to a corner. Fujita runs up to CHOP, then he snapmares to PENALTY KICK! Cover, TWO! The fans cheer but Fujita coordinates with TMDK. Fujita drags Goto up, and he wants to do the Chaos drum thing? ZSJ isn’t so sure but Eagles is for it. Eagles steps in, but Yoh runs up! Eagles kicks Yoh, and “Se~ no!” Eagles & Fujita DRUM on Yoh! The fans cheer and ZSJ acts like he doesn’t know what’s going on. The fans cheer for ZSJ to join in, but he puts up the X, that’s not for him. Eagles & Fujita DRUM away on Goto!

Goto stands up and grabs Fujita by the face! Eagles CLUBS Goto, he and Fujita double whip, but Goto DOUBLE LARIATS first! The fans fire up while they’re all down! ZSJ storms in and grabs Goto’s leg! ANKLE LOCK! Goto endures, fights around, and rolls through to throw ZSJ! ZSJ comes back to RAM Goto, then he runs, only for Goto to RUN him over! The fans fire up while both men are down! Goto crawls, hot tag to Despy! Despy runs at the corner to ELBOW Fujita! Despy reels Fujita in for a suplex, high and hard! Cover, TWO! Despy fires up and the fans are with him! Fujita underhooks, PINCHE- NO, Fujita fights free!

Fujita swings but Despy blocks the chop! Despy knees low, whips, but Fujita reverses to GAMANGIRI! The fans cheer while both men are down! Fujita roars while he rises up, and he storms back to Despy. Fujita waistlocks, deadlifts Despy, but Despy fights the suplex with elbows! Despy is free, but Fujita runs up to slip around and backslide! Despy rolls through, Fujita KICKS him down! Cover, TWO! The fans rally up and Fujita fires up again. Fujita drags Despy back up, reels him in, and suplexes, but Despy fights that. Despy wrenches, but Fujita ROCKS him! Despy ROCKS Fujita in return!

Fujita and Despy keep the wristlock while they fire forearm after forearm back and forth! The fans rally up as the shots go faster and faster, but then both men wobble! Fujita fires a forearm, then another! Despy ROCKS Fujita in return! Despy runs, Eagles slips in, SOBAT! Fujita UPPERCUTS! Eagles scoops Despy but Yoh makes the save! Eagles kicks Yoh, he and Fujita double whip, but Yoh reverses to crisscross them into each other! FALCON- NO, Eagles slips out, but Yoh switches! Yoh feeds Eagles to Despy’s ELBOW! Yoh reels Eagles back in, FALCON ARROW! The fans fire up but Fujita runs up!

Despy & Yoh double kick, double whip, but Fujita DOUBLE SHOTGUNS! Fujita kips up, the fans fire up, and Fujita whips Despy, but Despy reverses to SPINEBUSTER! Both men are down and the fans fire up again! Fujita and Despy crawl for their corners, hot tags to Goto and ZSJ! The fans fire up as both men run in, Goto LARIATS ZSJ! Goto roars and the fans are with him! Goto fires a flurry of forearms, then whips corner to corner. Goto runs in, MURAMASA! Then SAIDO! Cover, TWO! ZSJ survives and Goto fires up again! Goto fireman’s carries but ZSJ pulls on an arm! Goto powers out and ROCKS ZSJ!

Goto runs, ZSJ wrangles him to a FUJIWARA ARMBAR! Eagles & Fujita BLAST Yoh & Despy off the arm! They have Yoh & Despy stuck on the outside with armlocks while ZSJ has the DISARMER! Yoh breaks free of Eagles and DROPKICKS ZSJ! Eagles returns to SUPERKICK Yoh! Despy is in, Eagles slips around and feeds him to Fujita’s MISSILE DROPKICK! The fans fire up and TMDK drags Goto up. But Goto fires forearms on Eagles & Fujita! They DOUBLE CHOP, then double wrench! MAX- NO, Goto fights free and kicks Fujita! Goto deflects Eagles’ kick to LARIAT! Fujita kicks Goto, runs, but Goto follows! LARIAT!

ZSJ RAMS Goto, whips, but Goto reverses! Fireman’s carry, USHIGOROSHI! The fans fire up while ZSJ clutches his head. Goto hauls ZSJ up, dragon sleepers, but ZSJ drops down! Goto drops onto ZSJ for a cover, TWO!! ZSJ is up, Goto sends him into a corner! RUSSIAN LEG SWEEP, into a GOTO SAN SHIKI!! Cover, TWO!! ZSJ escapes, BOOTS Goto, then runs! DOUBLE LARIATS collide! Neither man falls, so DOUBLE LARIATS collide again! Goto roars, runs, but ZSJ KCIKS the lariat, PELES the other arm, then SWEEPS the legs! Goto falls, but then sits up, into a PENALTY KICK! The fans fire up and ZSJ hurries to drag Goto back up.

ZSJ scoops, ZACK- NO, Goto slips free and has the SLEEPER! Goto sits ZSJ and rolls him, GOTO NI SHIKI!! TWO!! ZSJ has the legs, JAPANESE LEG ROLL CLUTCH, with bridge!! TMDK WINS!!

Winners: TMDK, by pinfall

It was a fast and furious finish of technical holds, but who else but the best technical wrestler in the world would pull it out? Goto is frustrated for getting caught like that, but will he avenge himself in just 12 days?

As for TMDK, Eagles starts off by saying, “G’day, Sendai!” Eagles then pretends to check his watch, and asks, “Rocky doki desu ka? <Where is Rocky?> Zabishii. <How lonely.>” The fans chuckle at Eagles’ fake crying, and Eagles then tells Yoh & Rocky that next month in Osaka, see you then! The fans applaud, and then Eagles offers the mic to Fujita. The fans cheer Fujita on, and Fujita accepts. “That lariat turned me inside out, so I’ll keep this short! I’m beating El Desperado!” The fans cheer that, ready to see Fujita challenge Desperado for the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship on Tuesday, February 4th!

And lastly, that brings things to The Front Man. ZSJ takes the mic to say, “People of Sendai, thank you very much!” The fans cheer, but then ZSJ tells “Ko-kun” and “Robbie-chan” to “cut that drumming bit. It was lame.” The fans chuckle again, and ZSJ says 2025 isn’t the Year of the Snake. No, it’s all orange! ZSJ promises that TMDK won’t just paint NJPW orange, but the entire world! “Osaka will be here soon enough. Goto, this is your last chance. Let’s make the most of it.” The fans like the sound of that! ZSJ says they’ll end with this: This year revolves around TMDK! Arigato gozaimashita! The fans are ready, will the New Beginning in Osaka be Mighty?

My Thoughts:

A very good event for NJPW, though “Road to” always indicates more tune-up filler than thriller. Gabe Kidd going after Yota Tsuji and the Global Heavyweight Championship is an interesting development, but that is going to be a great match. The NEVER Openweight Six Man Championship match was really good stuff, and I was only a little surprised that The House of Torture won. Firstly, Tanahashi has to lose those titles at some time, so might as well pull off the Band-Aid now before The New Beginning events. Then this works with the story from Oleg and Josh Barnett where Barnett wants to help Oleg reach that singles title level.

And very good Six Man Tag main event to not only build Goto VS ZSJ but also Desperado VS Fujita. Great win for TMDK, but we have a lot of other Road to New Beginning events to build Goto VS ZSJ. A lot of filler 10 Man Tags are on the schedule, but I probably won’t be bothering with those. Despy VS Fujita will be great, but Fujita and Eagles are already the tag champions, so I don’t see Fujita winning. As for Goto VS ZSJ, ZSJ said it himself that this is very likely Goto’s last chance at ever being the top champion in NJPW, but I don’t see Goto winning. It’ll be an epic battle, but I feel like ZSJ is going to stay on top.

My Score: 8.7/10

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Coverage

Andrew’s TNA iMPACT! Results & Match Ratings: 1.30.25

Are we gonna get consecutive weeks of momentum or we gonna get the “LOL TNA” moment already?

Published

15 hours ago

January 30, 2025

Andrew Balaz

Coming off the first Live iMPACT! in 8 years, it has been pretty universally agreed upon that it was not a bad show. Good favor, a larger audience then they’ve had in years and TNA actually did fairly well establishing themselves as not a third rate duelist.

Let’s see if the good tidings continue or if things start to well…TNA.

The official liaison between @WWENXT and TNA, @AriannaGraceWWE, was rudely interrupted by Tessa Blanchard while speaking with @MeanGiaMiller!

Watch #TNAiMPACT on TNA+: https://t.co/9IIhMDrtkn pic.twitter.com/8ImgauBAiO

— TNA Wrestling (@ThisIsTNA) January 31, 2025

Ratings:

Cora Jade vs Hyan: Cora wins via Jaded – ** 1/2
Brian Myers w/The System vs Leon Slater: Myers wins via Roster Cut – ** 3/4
Laredo Kid vs Mustafa Ali: Ali wins via 450 – ** 3/4
Eric Young & Josh Alexander vs Sinner & Saint: No Contest? EY Turned Heel – N/A
Ace Austin vs Wes Lee w/Tyson & Tyriek: Wes wins via Cardiac Kick – ***
Kaiba Boys (Nic & Ryan Nemeth) vs Fir$t Cla$$: Kaibas win via Danger Zone – ***

Results:

Nic Nemeth comes out to talk, doesn’t complain and says he’s just gonna dust himself off and start again. Ryan comes out to complain on behalf of “hiissss brrooother” and run down Hendry. Nic is playing babyface still and Ryan is instigating is typical little brother fashion. Nic tries to appease Ryan saying this could be a big year for both of them, so Fir$t Cla$$ music hits and KC Navarro cuts them off and hands off to AJ Francis. Ryan get mad at them interrupting, Nic tries to calm the situation but Ryan decides to agree to a tag match that Nic doesn’t seem like he wanted to go there. But Santino comes out and makes it official.

EXCLUSIVE: @XiaBrookside welcomed @WWENXT's @CoraJadeWWE to #TNAiMPACT, but things got HEATED fast!

Don't miss #TNAiMPACT TONIGHT at 8/7c on @AXSTV in the US, @Sportsnet 360 in Canada, and streaming worldwide on TNA+!

Get 1 month FREE of TNA+ with code: NXTNA pic.twitter.com/LP8ghA78Pv

— TNA Wrestling (@ThisIsTNA) January 30, 2025

Cora Jade vs Hyan

Hyan tries a Pump Kick, Cora catches it, lays her out and kicks her feet up in the corner getting cocky. Snapmare with the Hair, into a Springboard Single Stomp from Cora, Hyan is getting throttled along the ropes and putting up much of a fight to start. Hyan is usually just enhancement talent in TNA, even though she does have a solid pedigree in the indies and internationally. Hyan finally moves so Cora smashes herself into the corner, Wasteland from Hyan for a 1 count, Cora counters Hyan’s attempted offense and then hits Jaded for the win!

The match did what it needed to, Cora tried to lay in the boots further, Xia runs out to make a save but Cora baits her into a false sense of security and goes after Xia. So Masha comes out for the save on the person who made the save. Cora comes off looking pretty good and Masha scaring her off helps Masha’s aura.

.@MeanGiaMiller tries to get answers out of @WesLee_WWE, @TyriekIgwe_WWE and @_Tysonwwe_ for his attack on The Rascalz ahead of Lee's match with @The_Ace_Austin TONIGHT on iMPACT!

Watch #TNAiMPACT now on TNA+: https://t.co/9IIhMDrtkn

Get one month FREE with code: NXTNA pic.twitter.com/UIU5GgiylE

— TNA Wrestling (@ThisIsTNA) January 31, 2025

Brian Myers w/The System vs Leon Slater

Myers grabs the quick Headlock into the Shoulder Tackle and welcome back to 1997 wrestling starts. Myers got cocky, shot Leon into the ropes and eats a Shoulder Tackle from Leon, so a little showboating from Leon gets under Myers skin and causes him to make a few missteps. Leon hits the Feint Mule Kick into the Handspring Back Elbow for 2, but when he tries to continue, Myers pulls him down into the buckles. Myers looks for a Spear, Leon Leap Frogs and Myers eats turnbuckle. He powders, the System shields him from a dive, and we’re starting to see the numbers game come into play.

A Thrust Kick from Myers rocks Leon as he’s coming back in, Strong Irish Whip into a Gator Roll and then Sleeper Hold. Again, offense brought to you by Bill Clinton. Leon gets away from the Sleeper, tries to hit the ropes and Myers does his Baseball Slide Trip. Slow heel moves from Myers, Sleeper, Facelocks, Back Elbows…just slow classic heel offense. Leon tries to fire, eats a Knee Lift. Irish Whip but Leon counters by hoping the ropes to the apron, quick pop shot and then Springboard Crossbody into a series of Lariats and a Shotgun Kick! Leon has the momentum, Blue Thunder Bomb for two! Leon goes to the top, Myers is up, Leon rolls to the other side to avoid Myers, Myers eats a Leg Lariat from Leon and Myers pushes off, Bicycle Kick, Thrust Kick into Implant DDT for only two! Myers looks to Spear, gets rolled up in a Small Package, Kick out, dumped outside, Leon flies over the corner onto Myers!

System surrounds Leon, tries to get a few shots, but Leon has some quick offense for everyone. In the chaos, Lish puts a Ring on Myers’ hand so a Loaded Punch into Roster Cut and Myers wins!

Laredo Kid vs Mustafa Ali

Slow start with Ali being arrogant into a Lucha stalemate section where there’s Satellite counters, Headscissors and a powder to break the nonsense. Corner counters, Overhand Chops from both, they tussle on the top rope, Ali backflips off the ropes, Laredo tries a Crossbody but Mustafa hits a Dropkick. Grounded Abdominal Stretch from Ali, Laredo tries to fight up and out, but Ali slams him back down, talks smack, slaps him and then eats a Michinoku Driver out of nowhere! But only a two count! Ali manages to pull Laredo into the corner pads, tries a dirty pin with feet on the ropes but the referee sees it, Laredo tries a Roll-Up in the disarray, Ali kicks out, they run back and forth, Ali just slides out thinking he’s outsmarted Laredo but Laredo hits the Suicida for a solid pop. Ali pokes the eye and grabs at the mask, Laredo is off kilter, Ali baits Laredo through the corner, hits the Draping DDT off the apron, slides Laredo back in and 450 for the win.

Eric Young & Josh Alexander vs Sinner & Saint

Jabroni duo comes out, and they look stupid, their music is generic Hot Topic trash and the one with hair walks like he’s pretending to be a Delirious fused with a Dinosaur. They look so insanely pathetic.

Dino-nerd tries a stand switch and suplex but Josh no sells and looks like the older sibling judging the little sibling’s stupidity. Bald jabroni tags in, does nothing, blind tag just for Josh to single handedly lay both out. Of course they’re trying to establish the loser squad, so the eventually have a good defensive moment that catches Josh and isolates him in their corner. He still mostly takes care of both of them. This is honestly pathetic.

Locomotion counter switches in the corner before a Shotgun Kick wipes out Josh, Dino-nerd tries a Lio Rush style splash but misses, Josh tags out, EY looks to tee off but he turns and lays out Josh. EY turns heel…that was not on my Bingo Card, but I’m not mad about it. EY has the maniacal look in his eyes again, so Sanity or Violence by Design could be back? Can he call the group SAnitY since they’re working with WWE now?

Ace Austin vs Wes Lee w/Tyson & Tyriek

Things start slow then a few quick strike spots from Ace. A grounded Heel Kick and Enzuigiri rocks Wes, Wes slingshots back in, Sunset, Ace dodges tries to stay crouched to get cute but Up Kick from Wes kicks Ace in the face. Wes crotches Ace on the top rope, Enzuigiri, Suicida leaves Ace laying on the ramp. Wes hits the Street Fighter combo in with Ace shoved in the corner, the crowd chants “Boring” so Wes revels in the negativity and mockingly does the Rascalz taunt. A few quick shots and Ace kicks out at one and holds the ropes as Wes just lights him up with kicks. Ace asks for more, and goes full Strong Style. A few round kicks to the chest before Wes decides to do the hell thing and a Spinning Thrust Kick to the side of the face. Wes puts Ace in a Key Lock and Ace struggles to his feet before barely slipping the lock.

They trade strikes, Triangle Kick misses for Ace but he manages to connect after with a strike, a few more, Click Click Boom, Seated Miz Lariats in the corner, Wes falls out of the corner, Triangle Kick for the near fall, but the offense isn’t over and Ace hits the Gutwrench Sitout Powerbomb! Ace looks for The Fold, Tyson and Tyriek make their presence felt, Ace does the apron dance and kicks them both in the face. Wes gets dumped out of the ring, Ace with a Fosbury Flop (not the best one he’s done), Tyriek picks the ankle long enough to slow down Ace as Ace walks into the Cardiac Kick!

Wes and crew attacks Ace after the match, so The Rascalz make the save. We’re obviously going to get a 6 man soon, and this is perfectly fine.

Kaiba Boys (Nic & Ryan Nemeth) vs Fir$t Cla$$

AJ starts with Ryan and just shoves him away and demands Nic, Nic gets the best of AJ but AJ tags in KC and KC gets in a few quick shots, some cute counters and showboating before eating a Dropkick from Nic. AJ comes in to try and take out Nic, the Kaibas take out AJ and then dump KC into AJ’s arms and hold the ring going to commercial.

During the commercial a little blind tag and Spiderman in the ropes taunt from KC caught Ryan off guard so First Class is in control. AJ is beating the hell out of Ryan in the ropes, then hits Tennessee Whiskey for the “Money Money Money” taunt. KC tags himself in and starts slapping Ryan around, Dropkick into 305 as KC cuts off Ryan from Nic, throws Ryan in the corner, Rolling Uppercuts, Snapmare, Roll through, Chest Stomp into a near fall. KC tags in AJ and a little tandem offense gives them another near fall but Mokuba refuses to lose…so far. AJ steps on Ryan’s chest and then lays in a few Overhand Chops. AJ slowing things down, looks for a power move but Ryan slips it into a Sleeper Attempt but AJ counters and slams Ryan down for another two count. Two Sidewalk Slams after getting bounced out of the corner, but Ryan keeps kicking out.

AJ takes Nic off the apron, looks for another Sidewalk Slam but Ryan turns it into a Satellite DDT. Simultaneous tag time, KC eats the fire from Nic, two Lariats, Stinger Splash, Rude Awakening, 10 Count Shots to the Heart for…AJ breaks it up! AJ looks for a Down Payment but Nic slips, Superkick, Ryan tries to rock AJ to no avail so they both Lariat AJ out and Avalanche Polish Hammer from Ryan lays out AJ. KC tries the Flash Pinfall but Nic rolls out, a few quick shouts, Spinning Heel Kick from KC for a 2 count. Nic hits a FAMEasser into Danger Zone after Ryan’s blind tag so Ryan gets the cover as Nic just laughs and takes it in.

Overall Score: 6.25/10

Nothing to really be offended by. Some of the stuff was a little low stakes or obvious filler, but stories moved forward with Cora, Wes and the Kaibas. Plus you know, Eric Young turning on Josh is a little unexpected. EY has been the fill in Dreamer/Scott with the “Ra-Ra” speeches and feel good crap for significant shows, so having him go back to Maniac is a nice twist.

Tessa also steering into this “Locker Room bully” persona is smart. It’s not a stretch from what people already think, so steering into the skid is very smart. I may not have been blown away by anything in this episode, but it was definitely decent and did a solid enough job showcasing the partnership and not making the TNA talent feel like an after thought.

All in all, very nice.